CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

On April 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education released details regarding its distribution of coronavirus assistance to college students under the CARES Act. This assistance is meant as emergency funding for students impacted by the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 epidemic to help cover unforeseen expenses such as food, housing, technology, health care, child care, and course-related materials.

Funding is limited, and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Because student eligibility requirements are the same as for Title IV federal financial aid funding, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to determine eligibility for CARES Act Emergency Funding. If you have not yet completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA, please do so immediately. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at 307.532.8224 or financialaid@ewc.wy.edu for assistance.

The minimum award for students is typically $250; awards in excess of that will be determined by the explanation and identified needs on the application as well as criteria from student and financial aid records. Students must be currently enrolled for the Spring 2020 semester to apply for emergency funds.

Funds will be awarded by the Financial Aid Office as CARES Act Emergency Funding and will not be used to cover any outstanding balance or tuition/fee charges for future terms. Refunds will be mailed directly to the student, so it is imperative that EWC has the correct mailing address on file.

For students returning for Fall 2020

Please be aware that the Financial Aid Office has the ability to perform changes to a student’s FAFSA with appropriate documentation. The 2020-2021 FAFSA is based on 2018 tax and income information which may be starkly different than what a family may have available now to contribute to a student’s education. Students whose family situation has changed because of a temporary or permanent job loss, or otherwise is facing reduced wages or income due to the coronavirus outbreak are encouraged to complete an appeal to allow us to make appropriate changes and re-evaluate their need-based aid eligibility. Forms are available below.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Only students who are or could be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), may receive emergency financial aid grants. If a student has filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then the student has demonstrated eligibility to participate in programs under Section 484 the HEA. The criteria to participate in programs under Section 484 of the HEA include but are not limited to the following: U.S. citizenship or eligible noncitizen; a valid Social Security number; registration with Selective Service (if the student is male); and a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting. Also, students who were enrolled exclusively in online classes PRIOR TO March 13, 2020 are not considered to have expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus and are not eligible for this funding.

No. CARES Act funding is meant as a grant to students to help cover unforeseen expenses such as food, housing, technology, health care, child care, and course-related materials that resulted from the disruption to campus from the COVID-19 outbreak.

EWC will begin processing funds the week of April 27 and will mail checks weekly as long as funds remain. Refunds will be mailed directly to the student, so it is imperative that EWC has the correct mailing address on file. Please keep in mind that submission of a request (or multiple requests) for funds does not guarantee financial assistance and every request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Yes. Because student eligibility requirements are the same as for Title IV federal financial aid funding, a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required to determine eligibility for CARES Act Emergency Funding. If you have not yet completed a 2019-2020 FAFSA, please do so immediately. If you need help completing the FAFSA, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 307.532.8224 or financialaid@ewc.wy.edu

CARES Act Emergency Funds are meant to help cover unforeseen expenses such as food, housing, technology, health care, child care, and course-related materials that resulted from the disruption to campus from the COVID-19 outbreak. Students whose family situation has changed because of a temporary or permanent job loss, or otherwise is facing reduced wages or income due to the coronavirus outbreak are encouraged to complete an appeal to allow us to make appropriate changes and re-evaluate their need-based aid eligibility. Forms are available below.

No. CARES Act Emergency Funds are not considered financial aid in the same way Pell or scholarships are, and are not counted as Estimated Financial Assistance against your Cost of Attendance. These funds are meant strictly to help cover unforeseen expenses such as food, housing, technology, health care, child care, and course-related materials that resulted from the disruption to campus from the COVID-19 outbreak.

Yes, as long as funds remain, students will be able to request additional CARES Act Emergency Funds for additional expenses. All students should also complete applications for regular financial aid resources like the FAFSA for federal aid and EWC’s scholarship app via MyEWC to maximize the amount of funding available for every semester of enrollment.

Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis with the priority of funding going to students with the highest need. The typical grant awarded is at least $250, depending on need as determined by info provided above and student records. For need in excess of grant provided, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 307.532.8224 or financialaid@ewc.wy.edu. Additional documentation will be required.

Students who will receive a partial refund from having to leave the residence halls early can still receive CARES Act Emergency Funds to help cover other unforeseen expenses such as technology, health care, child care, and course-related materials that resulted from the disruption to campus from the COVID-19 outbreak. Please note that if you had a scholarship or waiver that covered your Spring 2020 room and board costs, that you will not receive a cash refund, and can include food and housing in your CARES Act Emergency Fund Request.

Yes. CARES Act Emergency Funds may be used help cover other unforeseen expenses besides the ones typically listed (food, housing, technology, health care, child care, and course-related materials) with an explanation of how the disruption to campus from the COVID-19 outbreak caused you to incur the unforeseen expense.